Fu Ling grasped his withered hand and wept: “Please be at ease, Your Majesty. I will surely guide Hui’er well and not betray Your Majesty’s earnest expectations.”
The Emperor’s fingers moved slightly in her hand, his breath as weak as a candle in the wind. After the imperial physician waited breathlessly for a moment, the Emperor of Longzhi ultimately did not regain consciousness and slowly stopped breathing under everyone’s gaze.
“Your Highness, please bear your grief.”
After a while, Yan Xiaohan approached and softly said behind Fu Ling: “The Emperor has passed away.”
With these words, everyone in the Hall of Nurturing Heart knelt down. Seeing Fu Ling still in a daze, Yan Xiaohan had to remind her: “Your Highness?”
Fu Ling blinked slowly, brushing away the last tear from her eye, and reached out to Yuan Zhen.
Yuan Zhen hurriedly helped her up. Yan Xiaohan stepped back and knelt down.
“The Emperor… has passed away.”
Facing the vast hall, Fu Ling parted her lips, her voice hoarse and trembling, but persistently continued: “Immediately send people to inform the lords, officials, princes, and concubines. Close the palace and city gates, and enforce martial law. Please—”
Before she could finish “New Ruler,” a loud shout came from outside: “The Emperor has died. Why haven’t we been summoned to the palace to hear the imperial testament!”
Someone had leaked the news.
Led by Xue Sheng, dozens of court officials gathered at the steps outside the Hall of Nurturing Heart, with the Emperor’s half-brother, Prince Zhao, among them. Supported by Yuan Zhen, Fu Ling walked to the front of the hall and said firmly: “His Majesty has been in a coma and left no testament.”
Xue Sheng hinted: “Perhaps there is one, but Your Highness does not know.”
Fu Ling responded: “My son was personally designated as Crown Prince by His Majesty. As the heir to the throne, he is the new ruler, regardless of any testament. What objection does Lord Xue have?”
